By Johnathan Paoli
As registration for the new academic year comes to an end, the Higher Education and Training Department has intensified its oversight to ensure universities are prepared to meet evolving education demands.
Minister Nobuhle Nkabane and Deputy Minister Mimmy Gondwe have been at the forefront, conducting visits to various institutions to assess readiness and address pressing challenges.
Nkabane has visited the University of Fort Hare’s (UFH) Alice campus, accompanied by Director-General Nkosinathi Sishi, Acting National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) CEO Wassem Carrim and Vice-Chancellor Sakhela Buhlungu to evaluate the institution’s preparedness for the upcoming academic year.
During her visit, Nkabane toured the financial aid offices, engaging directly with students facing funding issues.
She stressed the need for a hands-on approach to facilitate immediate problem-solving, reflecting the department’s commitment to addressing student concerns promptly.
“As the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) system, we have a responsibility to change the size and shape of our post-school education and training in the country,” Nkabane said.
Among the minister’s main concerns were the challenges faced by students in applications and navigating administration, as well as the need to facilitate and assist the registration of masters and PhD students to complete their studies and contribute to the economy.
Nkabane inspected the agricultural and smart laboratories, underscoring the importance of modern facilities in enhancing educational outcomes.
Notably, she interacted with Luthando Jonas, an education bachelor student specialising in Mathematics and Science, highlighting the significance of STEM education in South Africa’s development.
In a move to promote inclusivity, Nkabane participated in the launch of two customised, wheelchair-accessible buses valued at R8.9 million.
This initiative aligns with the broader goal of making higher education accessible to all segments of society. Addressing administrative challenges, the minister has given the university’s management five days to devise a plan to resolve issues affecting hundreds of students.
Parallel to the minister’s efforts, Gondwe conducted an oversight visit to Stellenbosch University to assess its readiness for the 2025 academic year.
She engaged with the Student Representative Council (SRC), encouraging collaboration between student leaders and university management to effectively tackle challenges.
SRC President Roceshia Februarie expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage meaningfully with senior officials from NSFAS and the department.
“It is important for government powers to see the everyday impact of policies and decisions that they make in parliament,” Februarie said.
This comes on the heels of a two-day stakeholder engagement last month, which focused on the readiness of the PSET sector.
Nkabane emphasised the need for students to align their studies with the country’s economic and skills demands to enhance employability and foster entrepreneurship.
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